The title of the painting is called "Harvest Festival"
though clearly the coloration and the wheat sprouts indicate
Spring and Novruz. (Soviets tried to stifle celebration of Novruz
- in Persian means new day- as it was considered "nationalistic".

It's official once again after
having been prohibited for 70 years under Soviet leadership.
Novruz (pronounced "Nov-ruz" meaning "New Day")
is back again on the calendar as the most important National
Holiday in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The day, itself, marks
the Spring Solstice (around March 21st), the "Coming of
Spring," and is celebrated not only in Azerbaijan but in
Iran, Afghanistan, and several of the newly independent Central
Asian Republics including Kazakhstan. Next year, Turkey, too,
will officially celebrate Novruz according to a recent announcement
by Prime Minister, Tansu Çiller.

The celebration of Novruz dates to ancient times, perhaps even
predating formalized religion, and commemorates the annual sowing
of crops in anticipation of a bountiful harvest. Originally,
the holiday marked the first day of the calendrical year; however,
when Azerbaijan came under Soviet rule, New Year's Day was introduced
as January 1st, a custom which continues to this day.

Despite the fact that the Soviets forbade any official celebration,
Azerbaijanis have always observed the date as their greatest
and most important holiday even though they sometimes had to
celebrate it discreetly inside their homes. But even under the
Soviet regime, they succeeded in observing Novruz officially
for a brief two-year period in 1967-68. At that time the holiday
was celebrated openly in the streets, squares, parks, gardens,
and on radio and television. By the following year, 1969, Moscow
feared the rise of nationalistic and ethnic feelings and so they
stopped it.

This illustration painted here by artist, Beyuk Mirzazade, in
1966 clearly reflects this period. Curiously, it was published
under the title, "Harvest Festival" but the coloration
and composition both contradict the title. Red poppies blanket
Azerbaijan hillsides only in spring and newly sprouted wheat
in the foreground is only associated with the celebration of
Novruz.

Perhaps, rather predictably when the national movement for independence
started gaining momentum in 1988-89, Azerbaijanis again took
to the streets and squares to celebrate Novruz despite its prohibition.
But public pressure prevailed and on March 13, 1990, two months
after the Soviet troops descended on Baku and killed scores of
Azerbaijanis, the Supreme Soviet were pressured to issue a decree
declaring Novruz a national holiday in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
It was first celebrated officially in March 1991, a precursor,
one might suggest, to the Soviet Union's demise which was to
follow only a few months later.

Novruz is traditionally celebrated
as the most gala event of the year. However, since Azerbaijan
has been at war these past six years and has suffered the loss
of thousands of human lives and the upheaval of more than a million
displaced citizens, the nation has not felt like celebrating.

This year Azerbaijan's President, Heydar Aliyev, encouraged the
Azerbaijani people to participate, emphasizing that festivals
inject much-needed renewal, hope and vitality into the nation.
The celebration of Novruz varies from country to country and
region to region, but many basic elements are shared:

Symbols of SpringNovruz is always associated
with the beautifully lush green color of new growth and is specifically
symbolized by the growing of freshly sprouted wheat or "samani"
as Azerbaijanis in the Republic (North) refer to it. Typically,
a Novruz table is prepared with various items that vary somewhat
from region to region.

In the North, the table typically includes fresh flowers, candles,
sweets and pastries, nuts, dried fruits and dyed eggs (reminiscent
of Easter eggs so familiar during the same season in many Western
religions).

Southern Azerbaijanis and Iranians celebrate Novruz as the first
day of the calendar year (this year, 1994 is 1373 for them).
Traditionally, they set the table with, at least, seven items,
all of which begin with the sound of "s" (the Persian
letter, "sin" though in earlier periods, "sh"
(Persian "shin" was used). These items include some
green plant, typically the newly-sprouted wheat (sabzi), apple
(sib), hyacinths (sonbol), vinegar (serkeh), garlic (sir), a
reddish-brown spice eaten with kebab (sumakh), gold coins (sekkeh),
and a clock (sa'at).

You're likely to find a mirror, the Quran, and / or a book of
poetry often by Hafiz, some grains of wheat, and dyed eggs. Many
people buy a little goldfish and a fishbowl as it is rumored
that the fish will remain motionless facing the direction of
the North Pole the exact moment that the New Year arrives.

Attitude of cleansing,
renewal, and rebirthWith Novruz comes new
clothes. Houses and yards are cleaned. Trees are pruned; fields
cleared. It's a time for renewing relationships as well. People
who have had quarrels and refused to speak with each other use
this chance to forgive one another and renew their relationships.

Celebration of
family and friendsThere's always lots
of food and sweets at Novruz. Friends and families visit one
another. Usually, a very carefully guarded hierarchy is observed
and the oldest members of the community receive guests first.
On the eve of Novruz, Northern Azerbaijanis visit the cemetery
where their parents are buried. Gifts and food are shared with
the needy, poor, and sick.

Favorite Holiday
of ChildrenChildren love Novruz.
For them, it's presents, sometimes even gold coins or brand new
bills and best of all, vacation from school! In Iran, there is
a two week holiday though the teachers always manage to assign
lots of homework.

On the last Wednesday prior to Novruz, children celebrate a custom
reminiscent of Halloween in the West. They slip around to their
neighbors' homes and apartments, knock at their doors, and leave
their caps or little basket on the thresholds all the while hiding
nearby waiting for candies, pastries and nuts.

In Iran, on the 13th day after Novruz holiday "Sizdeh bedar"
(outing / ousting) everybody heads to the parks and nature for
a picnic. Still today, you'll find young girls tying two blades
of grass together symbolizing their wish to get married and have
a child by this time the following year. Together all these customs
signify an exuberance for life-full of hope, joy, happiness,
health, prosperity, luck, and long life-qualities all so deep
and inherent to man's nature that they could never disappear-no
matter who tried to dictate otherwise.

Fire-Jumping Tradition
BackfiresOne of the traditions
associated with Novruz is that of jumping over bonfires on the
last Wednesday, "Akhir Charshanbe", before the holiday.
Recently [1994], some cultural misunderstanding took place in
Los Angeles in regard to this custom. The incident involved some
Iranian young people, although the cultural practice is shared
by Azerbaijanis and other groups in the Middle East and Central
Asia as well.

Because Los Angeles is prone to devastating fires, there are
very strict fire codes in the city. No fires are allowed even
on one's own property.

Not knowing this, some teenagers built some fires in the middle
of the street and were having fun jumping over them when a neighbor
looked out, panicked, and dialed "911," summoning police
and fire department. The young people were taken into custody
and the case eventually was dismissed but not until their families
paid a fine!

Usually, Iranians and Azerbaijanis living in Southern California
go to the beaches to celebrate the event where it is permissible
to build fires.